KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has released the new ceiling prices for chicken and eggs, which will come into effect on July 1.
The new maximum retail price for a standard whole chicken is RM9.80 per kg while for super chicken, it is RM10.80, for major areas in Sarawak effective July 1 to Aug 31.
An observation made by New Sarawak Tribune at a wet market in Kota Padawan found that the price for dressed chicken is RM13 per kg as of today.
A seller, Chong Yam Siong, 56, said he sourced his chickens from a poultry farm. “A live chicken costs RM8.20 per kg and I sell the dressed chicken at RM13 per kg.”
A dressed chicken refers to chickens that have been slaughtered, bled and the feathers removed.
When asked about rumours of panic buying, he said no one seemed to be engaging in this and that business was stagnant.
“Business is quite slow during the weekdays and we sell around 10 chickens. During the weekends, we sell around 30.
“However, sales tend to fluctuate. For customers who know us, they will usually come and buy chickens from us,” he said.
As for free-range chickens (ayam kampung), Chong said they cost RM25 per kg and sourced from a different poultry farm.
Another seller, Shia Ah Fong, 58, said she sourced her chickens from the same place as Chong’s. “Every morning, there will be one lorry sending the chickens to us.”
She noted that there had been fewer customers due to the current economic situation.
“There are certain days where we will get many customers and there are some days that we don’t at all. We just have to persevere and carry on with.”
KPDNHEP also announced the new ceiling prices for eggs in Sarawak. Grade A eggs will be priced at RM0.47 each, RM0.45 each for Grade B and RM0.43 each for Grade C.
